How To Be A Good Co-Worker

1. Keep your desk clean

I think it goes without saying, but none of your co-workers want to see a piece of pizza with mold growing on it on the side of your desk. LOL ew. So gross. When you’re sharing common workspace, remember that other people have to work there too. Yea, it’s YOUR desk, but if it looks like a tornado hit it, the clutter and the mess will inevitably affect anyone who’s gotta look at it. So be thoughtful. Clean a little. I’m not saying your desk needs to be spotless and that you have to wipe it down every day, but it should look somewhat decent and professional. If not for your sake, then for the sake of the poor guy who sits next to you.

2. Ask them about their lives

There’s a difference between being nosy and taking genuine interest in the people you work with. Given that we spend more time with our co-workers than we do with our families most of the time, it’s nice to develop a positive relationship whenever possible. So ask them about their kids…their hobbies…their plans for the weekend. Have they read any good books lately? Any restaurants they recommend? Do they have any travel plans they’re looking forward to?

You don’t have to like everyone. But you should try to at least master the art of small talk. Because really, who wants to work with someone who doesn’t say more than two words all day? I know I sure don’t. So don’t be that guy at work. The guy with no friends. The guy who looks miserable and hates his life and has zero people skills. Things don’t end well for that guy.

3. Listen to music with your headphones

I LOVE MUSIC! I could sing out loud all day long but I don’t, because it brings me no joy, torturing people like that. But really, there’s nothing that keeps me going at work like music does, so when I get to the office, I really just wanna open up Spotify on my phone, and blast my latest playlist. But I don’t. And you know why? Because the girl sitting behind me might not like the same shi* I do! Or she might not want to listen to music, at all! She might be working on that project she’s been working on for two weeks straight, and listening to music might distract her.

So go buy yourself a pair of earphones, and stick them in your ears! It’s all about consideration, people! You can jam all you want, but try to respect that the people around you might want some peace and quiet.

Then blast your music on your way home as a sign of rebellion.

4. Offer to bring them food when they’re stuck at their desks

It’s lunch time and you’re freaking starving! So you get up to go grab something, and you notice that your co-worker isn’t getting up with you. Nope, he’s on a deadline. He’s about 2 inches from his computer screen, squinting, probably sweating a little, and you’re pretty sure he hasn’t gotten up to use the bathroom all morning. At that point, you can do one of two things. You can either be like dude…that sucks…oh well, not my problem! OR you can say…hey…do you want me bring you something to eat? Hey…. I know you can’t get away, but can I get you something?

You see how nice that is? That you’re being thoughtful and actually caring about another person? That’s how you should be all the time! And you know why?? Because karma is a you-know-what! You get what you give! So if you give someone a sandwich, you’ll likely get a sandwich back, and the next time you’re tied to your desk during lunchtime, you won’t have to chew your arm off.

5. Offer your help when you see that they’re drowning

Picture this, it’s 5:00pm on Friday and you’ve still got a stack of work on your desk. And you know you can’t leave until it’s done, or you’re fired. Then, because it’s 5 on the dot on a Friday, your co-wokers get up and they’re like…BYE!!! HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!!

How do you think you’re gunna feel? I’ll tell you how you’re gunna feel…you’re gunna feel like punching them straight in the face the next time you see them!

Now granted, you may not always be able to help your co-workers with their work. You might not be cross-trained, and sometimes your co-worker might be working on stuff that only THEY can work on. But if you CAN help out, you really ought to. Hey…you look totally swamped…anything I can do to help? Hey…I know things are crazy-busy lately, but dude, if you need anything, let me know! You see? it’s not that hard to offer your help.

And you know what? People remember that stuff. People remember the people that helped them, and it’s in your benefit to be remembered. Especially, as a nice human. So always be a nice human. That’s really all a good co-worker is.

What other tips you got?? How else can you be a good co-worker? Let me know in the comments below!

Good tips! Especially the headphones one. My first office job had an individual that would complain the office was too quiet and then play her own music loudly for everyone to hear. It was not the best working environment, unless you really really loved what she decided to play that day.

These are great pointers. When I step out for a break or to take lunch, I always check with my co-workers to see if there’s anything I can grab them. I only work with two people which is manageable…not so much when I worked in an office of 13 lol. And wearing headphones is a must. That’s one complaint I hear about from my friends who work in an office where they’re able to listen to music while they work.

I need to pass this along to my ignorant coworker who does nothing all day long but chat, laugh Iike a crazy maniac and constantly disrupt others due to her inappropriateness. Thankfully she’s transferring but I’m at my wits end. It’s just super frustrating being super busy, drowning almost, and girlfriend is making rotations chatting all day long.

Be professional, have some decorum. That’s my best advice. You can have fun at work but know where that line of inappropriateness is.